Under 23s: Barnsley 2-2 Forest

Nottingham Forest Under 23s earned a point following an entertaining 2-2 draw at Barnsley on Friday afternoon.

Goals from Aaron Smith and Virgil Gomis gave Gary Brazil's side a share of the spoils at the end of a competitive contest against The Tykes.

Forest took the lead shortly before the half-hour mark after the home side had made the brighter start. Smith curled a free-kick towards goal and it deflected heavily off the wall to leave goalkeeper Jake Greatorex with no chance.

The hosts began the second half well and turned the game on its head with two goals in the space of three minutes. Stephen Mallan levelled the contest when he drilled the ball home from inside the penalty area after Forest had failed to clear.

The same man stepped up again to put Barnsley in front soon after. Mallan curled a free-kick over the wall and Liam Bossin was unable to keep the ball out as it bounced awkwardly at the foot of his left-hand post.

It had been an even contest in South Yorkshire and Forest secured a deserved point midway through the second half. Jake Taylor's shot came back off the post but Gomis was there to rattle home the rebound and restore parity.

There were decent opportunities for both sides in the remaining 25 minutes but neither could find a winner as Forest Under 23s were left to settle for a fourth straight draw.